Reminding you to make the "Happiness Decision." Letting you know about our meeting dates, giving you happiness information, and your latest copy of the Be Happy Zone Article's that are published every other Wednesday in the Fairfield Citizen-News. At the end of this newsletter you can read the latest article called: What Is the Spiritual?

"Attitudes are more important than facts." -- Carl Menninger
Think Smart, Look Smart, Be Smart...Be Happy! - Lionel

Happ-E-Quote:) "One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself." Lucille Ball

Happ-E-Mail:) Received this mail from Dr. Bernie Siegel. Lionel, How's your bell's palsy doing? Bless all of you at the Happiness Club. We really enjoyed being with all of you. We can do it again sometime! Peace, Bernie

Happ-E-Quote:) "There are enough genuine difficulties in life to encounter, don't allow your imagination to increase the number." - Neil Eskelin

Happ-E-Mail:) This is the first I heard of your Bells Palsy. I'm happier to hear you set a new Olympic and Worlds record in getting over it!!! The receipt of your monthly Happ-e-ness Letter serves many great functions but I bet this is a new one. When I opened my e-mail this evening, my first thought was "it's impossible that another month has gone by"? In the mad rush that our lives have become, we think that life is going to go on forever and that gives us plenty of time to attend to the things we've always meant to do. Like getting our act together and finding that which we all most seek ....Happiness. In my youth, I thought that the acquisition of wealth would bring happiness....but it didn't. The more I acquired, the more I carried the weight caring for all that "stuff." I've come to realize that I had the happiness I sought all along but was too busy to recognize and enjoy it. We've had many discussions over lunch during which I "thought" myself unhappy but that was by others definition. I am not an exuberant person by nature and have come to realize that Marty's happiness is what others might consider contentment, and that's just fine with me. I have all that I ever wished for and more. But what it seems to all boil down to is that at the moment, my health is good and I am in love with the best wife I could ever imagine, have a great love for my children, grandchildren and more friends that I deserve and that Life is not a forever thing. Enjoy it while you can. Someone once said that "Life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes." With love and respect, Marty

Happ-E-Quote:) It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. -Lena Horne

Happ-E-Mail:) Has any one brought to your attention the article in the August issue of LHJ by Susan Korones Gifford, "Same life, more happiness...I will copy it and send it to your office this week. You did a great job on organizing the dinner, great company, great food, great evening! Janice D.

Happ-E-Quote:) "Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it." - Lou Holtz

Happ-E-Mail:) I hope your Bells Palsey is getting better and you get checked out very thoroughly for Lyme Disease. A positive attitude also helps in getting through Lyme Disease, so you are well ahead of the game :-) I loved hearing you and Bernie speak. What a great man!! I would have been happy to pay $32 and not have dinner and see him speaking at the library. We were certainly glad to hear Bernie and to meet you. Thank You!!! I'll be reading your column and email a lot more. Keep up the great work!! Stay healthy in mind, spirit and body. L.D.

Happ-E-Quote:) "Worrying about something that may never happen is like paying interest on money you may never borrow." - Unknown

Happ-E-Mail:) Lionel, thanks very, very much for changing my e-mail address! I don't ever want to lose touch with you and the Club!!! - Joanne

Happ-E-Quote:) "It's always too early to quit." - Norman Vincent Peale

Happ-E-Mail:) Hope your feeling much better......have a great summer....hugs to ya Bambi :-)

Happ-E-Quote:) "Gratitude is our most direct line to God and the angels. If we take the time, no matter how crazy and troubled we feel, we can find something to be thankful for. The more we seek gratitude, the more reason the angels will give us for gratitude and joy to exist in our lives." - Terry Lynn Taylor

Happ-E-Mail:) It occurred to me after reading your newsletter that I hadn't properly thanked you for the wonderful dinner with Bernie and Bobbie event. We had a great time and made some new friends and great connections. You looked and sounded wonderful even with the Bell's Palsy which was barely noticeable to me. I am not surprised that it disappeared so quickly. You disavowed it; you had no need for it; It served its purpose for each of us to be reminded of whatever messages it brought us as the BELL was being rung through your brief affliction. Thanks again for a beautiful evening, good food, newly made friends and an inspiring and fun filled talk by Dr. Bernie, a favorite Soul Doctor in my life. Many Blessings, Barbara Hoberman Levine, author of, YOUR BODY BELIEVES EVERY WORD YOU SAY, www.aslanpublishing.com

Happ-E-Quote:) "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." -George Bernard Shaw

Happ-E-Mail:) Sorry to hear about the Bell's Palsy. Happier to know that it passed quickly. Have a nice day, Regards, Fern

Happ-E-Quote:) "The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it." - W.M. Lewis

Happ-E-Mail:) What wonderful news on your full recovery. Our prayers and thoughts of happiness paved the way to an incredibly speedy recovery. So glad you are feeling better. Continued love and blessings, Marianne

Happ-E-Quote:) "Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot." - The Hausa of Nigeria

Happ-E-Mail:) As always, your newsletter cheered me up. I am glad you are back to normal and have learned enough from the experience to share with people. Thank you for touching me today. And take good care of yourself. Best, Robert

Happ-E-Quote:) "Life at any time can become difficult: Life at any time can become easy. It all depends upon how one adjusts oneself to life." -- Morarji Desai

Happ-E-Mail:) Praying for you to regain your full SMILE!! Have a Fantastic Day and keep Smiling, Love, Angie and Laurie xoxoxox

Happ-E-Quote:) "Never take anything for granted." - Benjamin Disraeli

Happ-E-Mail:) My husband, Doug, and I were so pleased to meet you at the dinner with Bernie, and to have a chance to see him in person after reading many of his books. His positive, people-centered approach to medicine has influenced millions of patients, and a great many doctors too. It was such a treat to hear him in person. But equally a pleasure to meet you at last, and I hope we'll be able to make more meetings. We both have evening conflicts, teaching and directing and such, as well as my medical issues, but you are one terrific guy and I look forward to more time in your company. You handled the Bell's Palsy so well at the dinner, and while I'm amazed that you've recovered so quickly, at the same time I'm not surprised. Your positive attitude, and your unselfish desire to share it with others, as well as apply it to your own life, must play a role in it. Positive leads to positive, and I'm delighted that you are able to benefit from what you've spread to so many. Sharing your pleasure, and thanking you for the chance to finally meet two positive role models, Bernie and Lionel, Louise Ladd

Happ-E-Quote:) "Find the good -- and praise it." - Alex Haley

Happ-E-Mail:) Happiness came so easy to me when I read that you're back to normal...it's painful to see someone as wonderful as you are in trouble. Love, Jane Deyoe

Happ-E-Quote:) "Let us learn to appreciate there will be times when the trees will be bare, and look forward to the time when we may pick the fruit." - Peter Seller

Happ-E-Mail:) Holy Cow! We didn't even know!! I just read your newsletter and shared the info with Terri, Miriam, and Lilli. We are so concerned....but very HAPPY that you are back to normal. What a scare! Bell's Palsy... I don't know anything about it. How do you get it? What do you do to fight it? What an amazing come back!!!! Lionel, from the bottom of my heart I'm glad all is well now! I'm also glad your evening with Bernie was such a wonderful event for all ...and especially for YOU. God bless you dear friend. Love, Rich, Terri, Lilli, and Miriam

Happ-E-Quote:) "Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers and are famous preservers of youthful looks." - Charles Dickens

Happ-E-Mail:) Sorry to read about your bout with Bell's Palsy. Loved your reaction. What a terrific example for others. Stay well pal - you're needed. Mike - www.happyplace.net

Happ-E-Quote:) "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves." - Carl Jung

Happ-E-Mail:) I just read your newsletter and was horrified to hear about your sudden BP, but delighted to learn that you are fine now. People in my family had it so I am familiar with it. It's wonderful that you can handle so well what comes along. Too bad that is not true for everyone. I hope you stay well, happy, and productive and I look forward to coming to meetings in the fall. I won't be able to make some of them because I am signed up to teach a whole load of 6 week adult Ed courses in Westport and in Fairfield and one is on Wed evenings. I do plan to come in September. Have a great summer....Love, Alice Katz

Happ-E-Quote:) "We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it." -Abraham Lincoln

Happ-E-Mail:) I wanted to send you my love and warm wishes for a speedy recovery and now...low and behold, here you are, back to normal. You're absolutely right, the power of happy, positive thoughts can be remarkable. I'm so happy all is well and wanted to send you a big hug. Love, Marisol

Happ-E-Quote:) "Nothing else can quite substitute for a few well-chosen, well-timed, sincere words of praise. They're absolutely free and worth a fortune." - Sam Walton

Happ-E-Mail:) It was wonderful to meet you for the first time (had no idea about the Bell's palsy until you spoke) at the Happiness Club dinner honoring Dr. Siegel and love power! What a truly delicious evening in every way! The care and feeding of the heart, mind, and soul is a most important business! Thank you for offering me the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy a "here and now" experience. Looking forward to joining you and the club members for the September meeting. A Happy Summer with love, Dottie

Happ-E-Quote:) "When a person doesn't have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity. A person can almost be defined by his or her attitude toward gratitude." - Elie Wiesel

Happ-E-Mail:) If you had cancer would you rather remove the cause or treat the symptoms? On the NBC morning show they had a report of a study that indicates that stress can be injurious to one's health. But contrary to what people believe stress does not exist and it can be proven. However people will fight to their deaths to depend a belief they have instead of question is what they believe to be true. One of the questions I use to ask when I was speaking is "How many of you would bet your life that everything you believe to be true is true?" Unfortunately when dealing with stress and happiness that is what people do. Have a happy day that lasts all of your life. Sid Madwed

Happ-E-Quote:) "Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul." - Henry Ward Beecher

Happ-E-Mail:) This month's newsletter is your best one yet! It's good to hear about your recovery. Of course you would be the one to use a malady like Bell's Palsy as a teaching prop! :) I surmise that's why you were able to get it in the first place. :) Congratulations on a successful tribute to Bernie. Love, Carl Rodia

Happ-E-Quote:) "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others."- Cicero

Happ-E-Mail:) You organized a delightful evening for everyone and we are all grateful. Glad to hear that you are improving. Dr. Richard Ellis

Happ-E-Quote:) "Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart." - Seneca

Happ-E-Mail:) Just a quick note thanking you for the enjoyable evening with Dr. Bernie. As always it was nice having an opportunity to see you and your family. Sorry about your medical condition. Hopefully it will pass soon. Be well and regards to all. Armen

Happ-E-Quote:) "Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." - Marcel Proust

Happ-E-Mail:) I do not know how you do it! When I need words of wisdom most you appear. My friends cancer has spread to his lungs and things have been depressing around here. I read your newsletter about exceptional patients and empowering yourself and once again I saw the light. I will never stop reading your newsletters nor stop reaching for happiness and creating the best life I can. Thank you so much. Barbara Rudolph

NEXT HAPPINESS CLUB MEETING:) Have a nice summer:)
Topic:) "TIME FOR HAPPINESS"
Date:) September 18, 2003
Time:) 7:00 - 8:45 P.M.
Place:) Fairfield Public Library
In the:) Memorial Room (upstairs)
Address:) 1080 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT

BE HAPPY ZONE
Fairfield Citizen-News
June 18, 2003

What Is the Spiritual?
By Lionel Ketchian

We have all heard of a "spiritual life," and "spiritual principles." What exactly is the spiritual? My thought about that question is that the spiritual is a direction to live your life. Let's see what the dictionary says. Webster defines spiritual as pertaining to the spirit, not the material. It also describes it as, intellectual, divine, and pure. I also looked up spirit and found it defined with, the breath of life, and the soul. Other meanings included mood; essence; real meaning; intent, and courage.

I think there are basic beliefs that make up the spiritual person. Actually rather than beliefs I would like to refer to them as opinions. They may be opinions that an after life exists, opinions that we are all interconnected, have an intelligent universal order, knowledge that there are laws governing the principles of existence, and understanding that an inward journey is an important aspect of life. Spirituality is the way you treat yourself and others and the way you treat every object. Every single thought you have and what you do with it and how you live every moment of your life is the spiritual. All this is what makes up the spiritual. Spirituality is a way of experiencing the world. Whereas philosophy is a way of understanding the world, admittedly philosophy is important to a spiritual person, but it is treated as a step to go higher, not the object of a goal.

Their is too much knowledge in the world. We have created so much knowledge it seems to be in excess. We need to develop a direct knowledge, which is wisdom. Wisdom is the power you possess through direct experience. Wisdom is a direct experience of understanding. Understanding is a much more useful quality than knowledge. You can read many books to gain knowledge, and we think of knowledge as something new. A good book is not written to give you knowledge, it is written to give you the experience of knowing the wisdom that is within you.

We seem to think that knowledge alone will make up for not trusting ourselves. Society encourages us not to trust ourselves. We have such great support systems that many don’t believe they can rely on ourselves. The more we can trust ourselves the more we can trust the world. The more we accept ourselves the more we accept the world. When we have self acceptance and trust we learn to work with ourselves instead of our problems. That is the only way to deal with our problems effectively.

When truth is experienced from your own projection mechanism of feeling, than feelings can control us. When we use wisdom and insight than our thinking can work for us. You ultimately choose one or the other. The only problem is that by allowing feelings to lead, you have no choice. You will react to situations, people and problems. At least by thinking you enable yourself to choose what is best for you. Thinking allows you to see where certain actions will take you. As a human being you think as well as feel. Thinking first rather than just feeling is the spiritual way. Think for yourself and be responsible for your own actions and your own happiness in life.

As Thaddeus Golas stated in his book, The Lazy Man's Guide to Enlightenment, "It is quite natural, in pursuing enlightenment or just in trying to be happier, to look to your everyday experiences for signs of results. Indeed, your daily life is nothing else but an expression of your spiritual condition. Your life will change as you become more loving, but not in ways that you can exactly predict. What happens is not as important as how you react to what happens."

Choice allows you to think about what you want and it allows you to run your own mind. When you don't make your own choices you don't put your best choices to work. Your mind runs you, and that's very different from letting thinking work for you. You're not subject to the winds of fate because you're not allowing indiscriminate thoughts to run your mind. It gives you the chance to know that you can cope with whatever comes along.

Choice is the road we walk on and thought is our legs. Thought is what moves us forward and choice is our direction. Choice is the most important power we have. Making choices is the only real freedom there is. Most important things are as simple as making a choice. Life's answers are uncomplicated. Although choices may be simple it does not always follow that it's easy. The choice for happiness creates the right mind frame. As we learn to make the choice for happiness, we learn to discipline our mind and allow it to work for us. Being unhappy is just an incomplete way of telling yourself that you don’t like the problem you think you have. Being happy allows you to make good choices to eliminate the problem.

It has been said that the biggest lessons in life come from making mistakes, and from our suffering. We learn more in this way than any other. The greatest way to learn is from other people's mistakes and suffering. Then we can gain the wisdom while avoiding the pain. I think the spiritual life allows us to do that very thing. Spirituality and religion coexist together but people make them different. Actually, spirituality is present in every religion. The spiritual principles in each religion are incredibly the same. Most differences are a result of interpretation of beliefs. There are common spiritual principles like forgiveness, non-judgment, unconditional love and peace of mind. The spiritual expresses the concept of responsibility in one's own life. Ultimate spirituality is freedom, "Know the truth, and the truth shall set you free."

Lionel Ketchian is the founder of the Happiness Club, a Happiness Coach, and can be reached at PrintLRK@aol.com. The Web site is www.HappinessClub.com.

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"Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny." - Frank Outlaw

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© Copyright 2003, Lionel R. Ketchian, all rights reserved.